The sizes and types of habitats that birds require depend largely on each species’ food preferences,foraging strategies and nesting and safety requirements. Many species have habitat requirements that either conflict with human activities or are overlooked during the planning stages of urban and rural communities.  With proper development and management, suitable habitats can be provided so that birds, and other wildlife, can survive and flourish in your community.  Take a few minutes to evaluate your landscape for wildlife.

Several guidelines shouldbe considered when establishing and maintaining bird habitats. Each guideline encompasses realistic goals that support conservation of bird populations and their habitats.

Community Land-use Planning

Don’t overlook small habitat patches—small parks with trees, shrubs or grassy areas are not only used by birds but also can increase the value of your community as a desirable place to live and raise a family.

Development plans should include, not destroy, tracts of native habitat.  Cluster homes together,avoiding impact on wetlands and other native habitat.  Leave “greenspace” areas,which will increase the value of the homes.

Avoid placing building structures on ridge tops.  Birds tend to follow ridges during migration and can strike windows, power lines, and towers.

Design golf courses with conservation and bird habitats in mind.  Establish bluebird trails, eliminate the use of chemical pesticides and preserve natural areas wherever possible.

BACK YARD HABITAT CONSERVATION

Nearly three-quarters of the land in the United States is controlled by private landowners. Very f ew of us own large tracts of land, but with a little effort even the smallest backyard can become a suitable habitat for nesting birds and migrant species. Simply put, birds require a safe place that provides food, water, shelter and nesting habitat for survival.  Consider adding diversity to your yard and making every plant functional.

Providing a variety of food sources that birds require is the most fun and challenging aspect of wildlife management.

Grow native plants that vary in size, structure and types of foods produced.  Include trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers and ground cover in your design.

Choose plants that provide fruit, berries or seeds and nuts throughout the entire year.

Set out hummingbird feeders and bird seed in a variety of places around  your yard.  Include suet and native foods in your offerings.

Do not feed “human” food to wildlife.  Avoid attracting pests and predators by careful placement and choice of food.

Reduce the amount of lawn on your property by replacing it with plants that  provide food for birds.

Water

A reliable source of freshwater is an essential part of a wildlife habitat.  Creating a bird bath or other source of water can be as simple or complex as you wish. Almost any flat receptacle that holds water will attract birds; an upside-down garbage can lid, a plastic tub, small pool, or cement bird bath. Some points to consider when choosing and placing your water source are:

Choose a shallow receptacle, no more than one inch in depth.  If your container is deeper, place several flat stones in it as a perch so birds can gradually wade into the water.

Provide dripping water or a mister with your bird bath.  The sound and movement  of running water is a magnet to birds.

Keep your water clean.  Empty the water every day during mosquito season.  You  may need to scrub your container at least once a week with hot water and a brush.

Place your container or bird bath in a convenient spot, but not too closeto shrubs where cats may hide.  Do not set out bird feeders within twenty feet of your bath.

Shelter

Cover serves to protect birds from weather and predators and also forms the foundation for nesting, sleeping and feeding areas.

Leave as much dead plant material as possible on the land.  Fallen limbs and leaves, brush and stick piles provide shelter for birds and other animals.

Plant dense shrubs, evergreens, and vine tangles for cover and protection.

Encourage natural cover around wet areas, ditch banks and hillsides.

Create rock piles or stone walls for animals to seek shelter from rain and predators.

Don’t be too neat!  Stick piles, rock piles, dead branches on tree tops all add to the diversity of microhabitats within your landscape.

Nesting

Finding adequate habitat toraise their young is becoming increasingly difficult for birds.  Avariety of nesting sites will benefit birds the most.  Trees are especially important for nesting.  Birds nest both in the high canopy of large trees and in the middle branches of the understory layer.  Choose trees and shrubs for different levels.

If possible, leave dead trees standing.  Snags offer nest sites to a number of cavity-nesting birds from woodpeckers to owls to songbirds.

Build and maintain nesting boxes for birds especially if you are missing dead trees.

FARM LAND CONSERVATION PRACTICES

After harvest, leave crop residue on the soil surface.  This residue supports insects and seeds during the winter months.

Use integrated pest management systems.  Establish permanent vegetative cover on steep hillsides for predator species to live.  Rotate crops over several  years to avoid pest species’ populations.

Postpone spring mowing as long as possible and avoid mowing at night.  Make intervals between mowing as long as possible to give birds the best chance for successful nesting.

Establish undisturbed vegetation areas; leave corridors of shrubs and standing  trees along fence rows and between fields.

Maintain and preserve wetlands, grasslands, old fields and other varieties of vegetation in uncultivated areas.

FINALLY

Designate and register your land as a WILDLIFE SANCTUARY with a local Audubon Society of the National Wildlife Federation.

Remember, saving a place forbirds not only benefits all wildlife, but also provides future generations the enjoyable and unique opportunities to learn about the natural world.